Find out how popular the last name Ylvisaker is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ylvisaker.

Ylvisaker, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ylvisaker surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ylvisaker in America

Ylvisaker is the 110825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ylvisaker surname appeared 159 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ylvisaker.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ylvisaker to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ylvisaker

The surname Ylvisaker originates from Norway, specifically from the rural regions of the country. The name is most likely derived from the Old Norse elements "ylir," meaning "fir" or "pine," and "aker," meaning "field" or "acre." This combination suggests a geographical origin, indicating someone who lived by or near a field of fir trees.

The earliest references to the surname can be traced back to medieval Norway, though specific written records are sparse due to the largely oral culture of the time. The name's components, rooted deeply in Old Norse language, would suggest that the surname could have been in use as early as the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname can be found in a 15th-century Norwegian land registry, where a person named Torstein Ylvisaker is mentioned as a landowner in the region of Sogn og Fjordane. This entry indicates that the surname was associated with landholding and agriculture, a common trait for surnames of this era.

Another notable historical figure bearing the surname is Olav Ylvisaker, born in 1879 and passing in 1958. He was a Norwegian immigrant to the United States and contributed significantly to educational advancements within the Norwegian-American community. His work in establishing institutions such as the Luther College in Iowa helped preserve Norwegian heritage in America.

In the 19th century, Kari Ylvisaker, born in 1823 and died in 1901, was a midwife and herbalist in rural southern Norway. Her contributions to local healthcare in a time when medical access was limited made her a well-known and respected figure in her community.

Johannes Ylvisaker, born in 1835 and died in 1902, was another significant figure associated with this surname. He was a member of the Norwegian parliament (the Storting) representing the rural constituency of Hordaland. His involvement in politics during the late 19th century was instrumental in advocating for agrarian reforms and local governance.

In more recent historical contexts, Egil Ylvisaker, born in 1924 and passing in 2003, emerged as a renowned archivist and historian in Norway. His extensive research in medieval Norwegian history and his publications have provided valuable insights into the cultural and social dynamics of early Norwegian society.

The geographical implications of the name Ylvisaker suggest an ongoing connection to specific landscapes in Norway, mainly tied to agrarian life and rural habitation. The consistent use of the elements "ylir" and "aker" in various permutations of land and property documents throughout centuries illustrates the enduring attachment between the people and their land.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ylvisaker

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ylvisaker.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ylvisaker was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ylvisaker has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ylvisaker was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ylvisaker, please contact us.

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